Figured mobile toy



June 5, 1945. J, E P ANK 2,377,646

FIGURED MOBILE TOY Fil ed Juli 21, 1944 Patented June 5, 1945 UNITED STATE 3 PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to figured toys, and particularly to figured mobile toys such as hobby horses or the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a toy of this character having leg members embodying pivotally connected sections, and means to cause the sections of the leg members to move, simulating the knee action or movement of legs of live animals, while walking or running.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for moving the leg members of the device, which in addition, will causea sound effect similar to the sound of hoof beats.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed,

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevational View of a hobby horse equipp d with leg members and an operating means constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is an elevational view illustrating the inner surfaces of connected leg members,- a, supporting wheel being shown by dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a segmental elevational View of one of the supporting wheels and lower sectionof a leg member,

Referring to the drawing in detail, the toy or hobby horse which constitutes the present showing of the invention, includes a main section 5 having stationary rear leg members 6 and a front section I constructed to simulate the head, neck and front legs of the animal, the front section being pivotally connected with the main section,

' by means of the hinge 8. The stationary leg members of the toy, are substantially wide, and are provided withbearings in which the axles 9 are mounted, the ends of the axles extending beyond the leg members, where they provide supports for the wheels III, on which the device is supported.

At opposite sides of the stationary leg members of both the main section and the front section of the toy, are auxiliary leg members H each of l which comprises an upper section l2 and a lower section l3, the sections l2 and I3 being pivotally connected as by means of the pivot pin Hi. The upper section of each auxiliary leg member is pivotally connected to the body of the toy, by means of the pivot pin I5.

Extending inwardly from the lower end of each lower section of the auxiliary leg members, is a slot [5 that is adapted to fit over the axle associated therewith, the slots of the lower sections of the leg members permitting sliding movement of the auxiliary leg members, with respect to the axles 9.

Secured to the inner surface of the lower sec.- tion of each auxiliary leg member,- is a block I! to which a spring arm indicated at I8, is secured, V

the spring arm [8 being of a length to extend an appreciable distance beyond the edge of the block to which it is secured.

As clearly shown by Fig. 3 of the drawing, each wheel is provided with a laterally extended pin l9 which is eccentrically mounted so that with each rotation of a wheel, the pin l9 will engage the extended end of the spring arm [8 associated therewith, causing the auxiliary leg members to move upwardly. It will be understood that the upper and lower sections of the auxiliary leg members are normally supported off center, so that with the upward movement of the lower sections of these auxiliary leg members, the sections thereof will pivot with respect to each other, simulating the knee action of a live animal. After the pins of the wheelshave passed the spring arms I8, the auxiliary leg members will fall by gravity, the upper ends of the slots: l6 engaging the axles 9,'causing a sound, simulating hoof beats.

Handlebars indicated by the reference character 20, are provided on the front section to be grasped by the child seated on the seat 2!. It will of course be understood that the particular type of toy illustrating the invention, is operated by the contact of the childs feet with the ground surface, when he is seated on the device or by means of pedals 22 on the front wheels.

As the device is moved over a surface, it will be obvious that the auxiliary leg members will leg member, and pins eccentrically mounted on the wheels and adapted to contact the spring arms as the wheels rotate, whereby the pivotally connected sections move, simulating movements of an animals legs.

2. A figured toy comprising a body, supporting legs including axles and wheels, mounted on the axles, auxiliary leg members, pivotally mounted on the supporting legs, each of the auxiliary leg memberskembodyingmivotally connected sections, one section 'of 'each auxiliary leg member having a slot adapted to accommodate the axle associated therewith, and means operated by the rotary movement of the wheels, whereby the :sections of the auxiliary leg members move with respect to each other, simulating the movements of an animals legs. 7

3. A figured toy comprising abody, rigid supp rt le s form ng a part of the body, axles mounted onthe legs, wheels on the axles, pins extending laterally from the wheels and "being .eccentrically disposed, auxiliarylegmembers ,em-

bodyingup l andllower pivotally connected sections,".mounted Ion the rigid supporting Tlegs, the

lower sections of the auxiliary leg members having slots, fitted over the axles, spring arms mounted on the lower sections of the pivoted leg members, said spring arms being disposed within the path -of travel of the pins, whereby said upper and lower sectionsof the leg members are moved with respect to each other, simulating the movements of an animal's legs.

4. A figured toy comprising a body, rigid supporting legs forming ta :part of ithe body, axles mounted on the legs, 'whe'els mounted on the axles, supporting the body, auxiliary leg members pivotally connected with the rigid support- :ingdegaeach of the auxiliary leg members including upper and-lower pivotally connected sections, =the 1ower section of each leg member having a slot adapted to accommodate the axles, means on the wheels for moving the sections of the auxiliary leg members with respect to each other,.simulating the movementsof an animals "legs, ;and xthe'en'cl walls of said .slo'ts adapted .to engage the axles causing a sound simulating'hoof beats.

.JOHN.E.'PLANK. 

